Spectrograph device



July 6, 1954 s. T. GROSS SPECTROGRAPH DEVICE Filed Jun 4, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Siegfried T. Gross July 6, 1954 'T GRQSS 2,683,220

' SPECTROGRAPH DEVICE Filed June 4, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Siegfried T. Gross July 6,- 1954 s. T. GROSS 2,683,220

SPECTROGRAPH DEVICE Filed June 4, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Siegfried T. Gross July 6, 1954 s. T. GROSS.

SPECTROGRAPH DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 4, 1949 INVENTOR Siegfried T. Gross BYW 9 kiciqi'fif Patented July 6, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,683,220 SPECTROGRAPH DEVICE Siegfried T. Gross, Easton, 1%., assignorto-General Aniline '& Film Corporation, New York, N. Y., a'corporation of Delaware Application 'J une 4, 1949, Serial No. 97,265 6 Claims. (01. 25043.5)

Thisinvention relates to-an improved infra-red and without standards except, of course, ifor-the spectrograph and more particularly to a device material of interest. Likewise, in known sysadapted to be combined with an ordinary infra terns, analyses are simplified in that the tech- :red spectrograph for the purpose of simplifying nique of an infra-red analyses is always the its operation and obtaining more usable records. same, while an organic quantitative analyses for It is well known that molecules, except for dia given constituent in a known system will involve atomic elements, absorb radiation in the infraa search for suitable chemical reactions to separed. By infra-red in the present usage, I mean rate the materials. Such'infra-red analyses can radiation of wavelength longer than that of the be usedwithgases, liquids, solutions, and solids, visible spectra, or from about 10,000 A. U. (1 l0 and so can be applied to a very wide range of and longer. The absorption of molecules in the problems. infra-red .is specifically and characteristically The present invention is intended to assist difierent for difierent materials. in obtaining the infra-red spectrogram record With organic molecules, for example, it is on the basis of absolute transmission. That is, 1known:that between about 1300 cm. (7.7;l) and the -infrared data is recorded as a curve which 600cm.*' (1'6.6,u) a variety of absorptions will-apvaries over a given 'flxed range on a recorder. pear .in the infrared, which are characteristic One limit of this range may represent zero and of specific molecules. In addition, it is known the other limit 100% transmission (or the scale that certain groups or bonds in various organic may be used in suitable density units varying molecules usually produce specific absorptions from infinite density to zero density). It has in a very characteristic manner. For example, many advantagesover prior art devices includthe frequency associated with the molecular viing giving a more accurate description of the bration of a CH3 group is found tolie very close infra-red radiation to be analyzed and eliminat- .to 21375 cm.- (7.29;4). This is almost invariably ing numerous exacting adjustments which must the case in molecules :containing'this grouping. be frequently made in existing equipment. Likewise, molecules containing double bonds It is an object of the present invention to proare found usually to absorb between vide an improved process and apparatus for 1600 cm; (6.25 i) and 1800 cm. (-5.55,l). Triple analyzing compounds by means of infra-red bonds are found to absorb between 1800 spectra. cm (5.55 and 2500 cm. (4 0. There are It is a further object of the present invention to numerous additional characteristic effects, such provide an improved infra-red Spectro rap asthosecited above, for various molecular-groupparatus which does not require frequentexactings,.an'd these eflects are well known in theart. ingadjustment.

One value of an instrument for measuring and It is a further object of the present invention recording infra-redradiation is to'determine-the t pr i n mp d i r ed p tr raph characteristic absorption frequencies for :unpp u which y e d data ary in a fixed known organic compounds, and from the'position a e On a recorder. of these frequencies,.and with information which These and other objects are attained by this has been catalogued such as illustrated above,.to inven ion wherein there is provided an infrapartially characterize the nature of the mole- 40 red p ctr r ph p r t nd process wherecule. vIt is of great advantage to an organic by there is provided means for alternately passchemist to know, for example, that a compound ing the entire radiation beam down two different which he is to examine contains certain specific paths and the recombining into one path. The

groups; bonds; certain substitution positions, etc. apparatus i pref rably an es ry o an ordi- A second very valuable usage of infra-red n ry infr -r d p c r ph ut in combination spectrographic equipment follows from the first. may be n id r d a ompl improv d p ctro Since practically all organic molecules produce graph.

different absorption effects in the infra-red, it -Generally the accessory has a revolving half is possible, by measuring the strength oftheir mirror for alternatively splitting the beam of absorption maxima, to determine quantitatively light from the light source, one-half of the time how much of a specific chemical compound is the beam is passed through one cell which may, present in a sample. This procedure has-great 'for example, contain a solvent, and the other advantages over ordinary chemical procedure in half of the time the beam passe that it"is'irequentlypossible to analyze a specific cell which may, for example,

material in the presence of unknown materials, solvent an'd'an unknowncompound. In the path of one beam is a moveable comb operated by a selsyn motor synchronized with the intensity of the beam on the bolometer of the spectrograph so as to make both beams of the same intensity. Recording of the movement of the comb is thus used to indicate absorption rather than the bolometer recording.

The construction andoperation of the apparatus will be more clearly understood by reference to the attached drawings but it will be understood that they illustrate a preferred embodiment and that the invention is not so limited. In the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the light paths in the apparatus,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken from the top of the spectograph accessory,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the spectrograph accessory,

Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the revolving mirror,

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective partly in section of the comb device,

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective of a flat mirror,

Fig. '7 is a cross sectional detail view of the light source tube,

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the electrical circuit for operation of the apparatus, and,

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a modification of the device of Fig. 1.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown the light source l I which is an incandescent wire. The radiation from this source is collected by the parabolic mirror l2, which produces a beam of radiation which is intermittently interrupted by the rotating double surface half disc mirror E3. The radiant beam at this point follows one'of two symmetrical and identical paths. When the equipment is operating it follows these two paths alternately. Each beam leads to two flat mirrors or passing through sample cells 20, 29 in cell holders 2!, 21. Between mirrors I i and I5 is'a moveable comb 22. The beam leaving mirror 15 or IE passes back to the rotating mirror and is either transmitted or refiected (beam i5 is transmitted, beam i5 is reflected to pass to the parabolic mirror I6, from which it is reflected to the deflection mirror I! to pass to the slit N3 of spectrograph) The diagram in trograph is purely conventional. Radiation passing through the slit l3, focussed by the parabolic mirror E9 to pass through prism 24, reflected from plan mirror 25, to repass through the'prism,

the refracted radiation is collected again by par-v abolic mirror i9 focussed so that a specific wavelength will be reflected by plane mirrors 26 and 2's; the divergent beam obtained being collected by parabolic mirror 28 and focussed on a thermocouple, bolometer 3!}, or other suitable detector of intra-red radiation. Movement of the plane mirror will fix the exact wavelength which is focussed to reachthe' thermosensitive element.

If the rotating mirror is of the accessory instrument is operating and if no samples are placed in the system, radiation of any given wavelength selected falls continuously on the thermosensitive element. However, if an absorbing specimen is placed in one of the two paths followed alternately by the radiation, and if, further, the wavelength of the spectrograph is adjusted to some wavelength which is partly absorbed by the sample, the alternating beams on reaching the thermosensitive element have different intensities and produce a pulsating signal. This signal can be Figure 1 indicating the specamplified electronically and rectified. The rectified output is fed into a recorder which is mechanically coupled with a comb device in the reference beam of the slit beam accessory. Thus, if an absorption occurs at a given wavelength, the recorder moves in the direction indicatin this absorption and simultaneously intersperses the comb to a greater and greater degree in the reference beam. When the comb cuts off such a percentage of the reference beam that no A. C. signal is produced, the recorder motion stops. Thus, if the wavelength of the spectrograph is slowly changed, the recorder through the use of this null principle gives a faithful reproduction of the absorption properties of the sample as a function of wavelength. The type of reproduction is fixed by the shape of the comb tooth membars which are interspersed into the standard beam of the accessory instrument.

It is, of course, possible to place a solution of the sample to be examined in one beam'of the accessory and a similar amount of the pure solvent used in the reference beam. Under these conditions, the record is the absorption spectra of the dissolved sample, and the effect of the solvent is cancelled out. Likewise, it is possible to take a sample of a known material which is impure for the first beam and place a sample of the known material which is known to be pure in the reference beam. In this case, the spectra of the impurity is obtained.

The construction of the equipment is shown in Figure 2. The radiation source I I is a glowing wire or other electrically-heated element. The rotating half disc mirror I3 is front surfaced on each side with aluminum, rhodium, silver or other suitable reflecting films. All plane mirrors are front surfaced in a similar manner. All-parts are mounted in a heavy metal box 3i or the like. A light source tube 32 and a light transmission tube 33 are provided to contain the radiation source H and the transmission mirrors l6 and [1 respectively. A selsyn motor 34 is also provided to operate a shutter 35 to keep the light intensity within desired limits.

With reference to Fig. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the exterior of the whole spectrograph accessory. The box Si is mounted upon legs 38, which may be provided with adjustable screws 39 for levelling the device. 011 the top of the box isa motor 5G for driving the revolving mirror and removable covers llil cover the cell holders. Tubes 32 and 33 are seen in this view as well as selsyn motor 34.

In Fig. 4 there is shown a perspective view of the revolving mirror H3. The mirror is secured to the base of box Si by means of standards 43 53. Between the standards is an axle 613. passing through an extension in the half mirror which may be integrally attached to a pulley 45 or alternatively to a gear device, not shown, to which the power for rotation is applied from motor it mounted above the mirror device. It is important that the mirror be sturdily mounted preferably in bearings so that its rotation is smooth. The mirror may be constructed of glass with a reflecting metal on the outer surface thereof.

In Fig. 5 there is shown a perspective view partly in section of the comb device 22. A rail 18 to which the comb 22 is rigidly attached is adapted to be driven longitudinally by a selsyn motor M through a gear wheel 5t and gear teeth 5|." The comb is mounted on the floor of box 3l'by means of standards 52-52 which preferably contains: rotary discs. or bearings53+-53' for. intersperse. a comb elem. nt into the null beam of guiding the rail. the; accessory unit. This motion continues un- Fig. 6 is. a perspective view of one of; the fiat til the A. 0. signal from. the bolometerceases and mirrors. A standard 56. is provided for mounting balance is achieved.v Thus, the pen on the rethe mirror onth'efioor ofv box 3|. The mirror; 5 corder traces an absorption phenomena occuras for example mirror [4,. may be adhered. or ringinthespectrograph; otherwise attachedto a base plate 5.! which is The feedback device, in addition to substanurged toward the standard-56. by means of spring tially nullifying. current fromthe bolometer, also 58' mounted about rod 59; A plurality of said creates an equal impulse which is amplified: and screws 68, preferablythree in number, are mountsentto motor M1 which drives selsyn S1 which ed in' the standard and adapted. to be turned in turn moves selsyn S1 in such a manner that therein and contact the baseplate 51 for the pura. shutter obstructs to a greater or less extent pose ofchanging. the angle of the mirror. the radiation leaving the accessory unit. The In. Fig. '7 there is showna crosssectional deoperation of the shutter is important since large tailed-view of the light source tube 32 containfluctuations in the bolometer D. C. signal are in the incandescent wire H passing through automatically compensated for, thus increasing the diameter of the tube and connected outside the sensitivity of the instrument substantially the tube by wires 62-62 to the source o heating The comb device which is interspersed 1n the threads at one end thereof upon which is adapted application, two combs are used alternatively. to be screweda cap 63. Parabolic mirror {2 is One of these combs is cut with linear teeth (dimounted in a bracket 64 which is urged toward rect. transmission), the second with teeth out the cap by means of a rod -having a universal of such shape that the recorder reads directly joint 66 connecting the rod with the bracket 64. in density units (density comb). The comb mechanism is driven by a selsyn-type motor which may be adjustedto control the angle of the which is controlled by a second selsyn motor fasmirror, tened to the recorder. The connections between While selsyn motors have been illustrated for these selsyns are arranged so that throwing a operating several of the movable parts, it ill Q switch will cause the controlled selsyn to operbeunderstood that they are used for convenience in permittin remote control but that other imsecond comb. Thus, the operation of this switch pulse responsive drivin means could be used will serve to convert the instrument from a diinstead. In Fig. 8 there is shown a diagramrect transmission scale to a density scale-or vice matic electrical circuit for operating the device V saemploying selsyn motors. The accessory unit is 1e new feature of this instrument is the posiindicated as having 3 selsyn motors S1, S2 and S3. t10n 111g 0f the comb device- In the M a motors rotating the half mirror. S3 is in turn racy for even direct transmission measurements driven by a 6 cycle motor w ich receives its power mterspelsed through a focal Image Of the source from the 110 volt A. 0. line. The 6 cycle motor 311108 the source y narrow. the omb can is also connected to the 2 microswitches on either accurately dellneate the percentage f fra-red side of motor S3. The same 110 volt line may be radiation which is allowed to pass- With divergindi ated which in tum is used to Operate the must pass through a cone of infra-red radiation, light source and no simple function of comb shape will per- The signal produced by any constant mit obtaining accurately either direct transmistemperature effect on the bolometer or the A. C. 5111 denslty l Another advantage in the proposed invention on the boloineter are passed to the breaker amt the fact that only a Single beam of radiation plifier, which is a commercially available device, taken from the heating element, this m which amplifies the A. 0. signal and which would Demg than alternately passed: in its entirety, amplify the n. 0. signal except for the feedback one llght Path or the other In Operdevice which, by the use Of a battery and Vari ation, of course, the beam passes successively able resistances, feeds back approximately the through one path and then the other In the d beams from the same source pass them alon by the bolorneter thus virtually nullifying D. C. g signals from the breaker amplifier yielding an dlfie'rent paths f with .rotatmg amplified A. C signal An A 0 Signal is passed mirror or other device, to bring them into the to the relay case where it is rectified to put it game path If thefe are temperature Variations in phase with the rotation of the mirror to 0011- m i as is almost invariably case vert it to a D C. signaL This D 0 signal is taking two beams irornthe same source will not filtered and passed to the recorder device where produce beams of ldentlcal Strength and quahty" it is amplified and where it controls motor M2 Another advantage of prorjosed infention which drives the recorder pen. Motor MD also replaces a pr cedure used with p1-101- instruments operates selsyn motor which in tum Operates by a modification which increased the sensitivity the comb device. The breaker amplifier is powand accuracy the ololngs. With prior ered by means of a power pack which is m equipment it is necessary to use a cam action plied f om the Volt A Q m It will thus to change slit widths when scanning the spectra. b seen t while a positive signal appears the This is required because the radiation from the r d receives an impulse and th pen is ordinary infra-red source is not sufficiently inplaced. Simultaneously with this displacing, tense at the longer wavelengths to produce a selsyn motor S2 is rotated causing selsyn S2 to 7;, measurable signal from the infra-red detector unless wide slits to give as much radiation as possible are utilized. As scanning proceeds toward shorter wavelengths, the intensity distribution of the radiant energy is such that far more radiation than is desirable strikes the heat detecting element. For this reason, and also for the gain in resolution obtained, it is customary to decrease the slit width continuously during the scanning operation. By slit width is meant the slit entrance of the formal infra-red spectrograph (or its equivalent) as indicated in Fig. l. The present invention yields a very sharp and defined image at the position of the slit of the spectrograph, rendering the use of the ordinary slit unnecessary. In other words, the lower wavelength radiations which do not exist in suitable intensity with narrow slits under ordinary operation, in the new method are present in a concentrated slit image at the spectrograph so that the higher resolution may be used over all wavelength ranges. As a means for decreasing the intensity of radiation at the shorter wavelength, it is proposed that a second comb or shutter device be incorporated in the instrument prior to the spectographs slit, which is to be controlled in the following manner:

The signal from the thermosensitive element after amplification results in an output which can be considered as a mixture or synthesis of an A. C. signal and a D. C. signal. The A. C. signal is taken ofi to operate the null comb device as described earlier in the patent. The D. C. component represents the average temperature of a thermocouple, and it is this temperature which should be kept constant. Therefore, it is proposed that this D. C. signal be fed into a bridge arrangement with an auxiliary amplifier such that the second intercepting comb will decrease the strength of the signal falling on the thermopile to an amount fixed by the adjustment of the resistance bridge mentioned above.

This method of adjusting the strength of the beam results in several distinct and valuable advantages over the methods known in the prior art. First, the adjustment is continuous and is always accurate in maintaining the temperature of the thermosensitive element at the desired point, while with the slit adjustments of the prior methods, the cams used must necessarily be imperfect since the operation of the instrument changes from day to day and results in a less reproducible behavior. Second, an extremely important advantage of the new method is the following:

If a sample is being analyzed in solution in a suitable solvent, and the reference cell has been filled with the pure solvent, it is found that when the instrument scans a wavelength in which the solvent has an absorption, there is not enough energy in the two radiant beams to fix the position of the null comb and, consequently, the instrument will drift, giving records which are extremely inaccurate in the immediate vicinity of this strong absorption. This fault of the method is well known. With the intercepting comb as proposed, especially in the high energy region, if such strong solvent absorptions were'to appear in both beams, the comb would be deflected to increase the total energy falling on the thermosensitive element and when sufii-cient energy is available, will be able to overcome the absorption effects of the solvent to give an accurate and reproducible absorption spectra of the solute.

In actual operation, it is advantageous to arrange two slits, one in each of the two light paths near the focal position for optical trimming. The use of these two slits is to balance empty cells against each other so that the factors such as variations in polishing, etc, will be compensated and will not produce artifacts on the final density or transmission curve.

While the device illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 is the preferred form of the invention variations are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, at Figure 9 there is shown schematically a modification wherein an infra red light beam from source 10 passes through an interference cell H is reflected on mirror 12 to revolving half disc mirror 13 and then through sample cell 14 to a radiation detector [5. On the next half rotation of mirror 13 the beam from cell ll strikes mirror 13 and is deflected on mirror 1'6 through cell '11 which may contain a pure standard. This device may be used in plant processes to detect impurities for example.

Some of the new features of the present invention are the following: A single beam of infrared energy is used in its entirety, successively passing through the two separate paths required for compensating operation; a selsyn-controlled motor for operating the comb intercepting device in one of the two paths mentioned; the use of a selsyn-controlled shutter device to adjust the strength of the combined beams so that the intensity of radiation falling in the thermocouple will be kept at a fixed level regardless of the fluctuations brought about by the materials being analyzed; use of a means for separating the D. C. and A. C. component of the amplified signal such that the A. C. component may be used in the ordinary manner to operate the recorder and compensated comb and that the D. C. signal be balanced in a bridge arrangement to keep the combined intensity of the two beams falling on the infra-red detector at a constant level.

While the device has been described as an infra-red spectrophotometer other types of radiation may be used.

What I claim is:

1. An infra-red spectrographic device comprising a source of directed infra-red radiation, a rotary half disc mirror silvered on both sides for alternately and continuously passing the entire beam down two difierent paths, radiation absorbing material in at least one path, means for combining the two paths into one path and radiation detecting means in said one path.

2. An infra-red spectrographic device comprising a source of directed infra-red radiation, a rotary half disc mirror silvered on both sides for alternately and continuously passing the entire beam down two diiferent paths, radiation absorbing material in at least one path, a selsyn controlled comb operating in one of said two paths through a focal image of said source to keep the intensity of the two beams equal, means for combining the two paths into one path and radiation detecting means in said one path.

3. A spectrograph device comprising a source of directed infra-red radiation, means for alternately and continuously passing the entire beam down two different paths, radiation absorbing material in at least one path, a selsyn controlled comb operating in one of said two different paths, means for combining the two paths into one path, a selsyn controlled shutter means to adjust the total combined beam strength to a predetermined value, radiation detecting means in said one path and a recorder for recording comb movement.

4. A spectrograph device comprising a source of directed infra-red radiation, means for alternately and continuously passing the entire beam down two different paths, radiation absorbing material in at least one path, a selsyn controlled comb operating in one of said two different paths, means for combining the two paths into one path, a selsyn controlled shutter means to adjust the total combined beam strength to a predetermined value, radiation detecting means in said one path, a recorder for recording comb movement, means for separating the D. C. and A. C. component of the amplified signal from the said detecting means, means to operate the recorder and comb with the A. C. signal, and a bridge device to balance the D. C. signal.

5. An infra-red spectrograph analytical device comprising a source of directed infra-red radiation, a rotary half disc mirror silvered on both sides adapted to alternately and continuously pass the entire beam of radiation down two different paths, 3, cell in each of said paths adapted to contain material whose radiation absorption is being tested and a material of different absorbency respectively, a selsyn controlled comb operating in one of said two paths in a focal image of said infra-red source to keep the intensity of the two beams equal, a recorder for recording the comb movement, a means for combining the two paths into one path, a selsyn controlled shutter device adapted to adjust the total combined beam strength to a predetermined level, a monochromator containing a radiation detector and adapted to detect the radiation in a plurality of wavelengths successively, and means for separating the D. C. and A. C. component of the amplified signal from said detector such that the A. C. component operates the recorder and comb, and a bridge arrangement balancing the D. 0. signal and operating the shutter.

6. An infra-red spectrograph analytical device comprising a source of directed infra-red radia tion, a rotary half disc mirror silvered on both sides adapted, alternately and continuously, to

pass the entire beam of radiation down two different paths, 2. cell in each of said paths adapted to contain material whose radiation absorption is being tested and a material of diiTerent absorb-- ency respectively, a selsyn controlled comb operating on one of said two paths in a focal image of said infra-red source to keep the intensity of the two beams equal, a recorder for recording the comb movement, a means for combining the two paths into one path, a selsyn controlled shutter device adapted to adjust the total combined beam strength to a predetermined level, a rotating prism adapted to pass beams of successive wavelengths, a monochromator containing a radiation detector and adapted to detect the radiation in a plurality of wavelengths successively, and means for separating the D. C. and A. C. component of the amplified signal from said detector such that the A. C. component operates the recorder and comb, and a bridge arrangement balancing the D. C. signal and operating the shutter.

References Cited in the file Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES An Automatic Recording Infra-Red Spectrophotometer, by W. S. Baird et al., Journal of the Optical Society of America, Oct. 1947, pp. 754-751. 

